Instead of his usual Sunday afternoon Jeep wash and vacuum party, Charlie Wrangler and I went to The Powder Room, site of the soon to be held Innocent Bystanders Pistol Party. I wanted to see how busy they were around 1:00 on a typical Sunday. Charlie and I were somewhat surprised to see the parking lot very full.

I didn’t have to wait for a shooting lane, someone was just checking out at the counter in front of me. The 10 position range was all full when I took up my station. I shot 100 rounds through my Bersa .380, and 50 with my .38 special. I was terrible. There was a lady in the lane next to me raining down hot .40 shell casings over the partition. She was very good. I was nervous.

I (again) talked to the owners about the Pistol Match on Superbowl Sunday. They suggested that I call before we arrive, and they will start grouping the shooters to one side of the range. They won’t reserve any lanes in advance, but I was assured that most of the time, Superbowl Sunday is not busy. We’ll see.

I asked about ammunition, and was told that the main rules are no magnum loads, and full metal jacket. You can read some of their additional range rules and fees here. I stopped by a Walmart on the way home, and compared ammunition prices:

100 rounds Powder Rm Walmart

.380 $31.00 $26.00

.38special 33.00 26.00

.45ACP 41.00 29.00

9MM 24.00 16.00

I plan on a Walmart run on Saturday before the party, so if any of you shooters want me to pick up some ammo, let me know. I would also echo Russ’ suggestion that you bring ear protection and eye protection if you have it, to save the rental fees.